Thursday, March 28, 2013

FACE2FACE: A TRIBUTE TO TWO MUSIC ICONS

As musical icons go, Elton John and Billy Joel would have to be at the
top of anybody's billboard chart. If imitation is the highest form of
flattery, then the tribute bands of Greg Ransom and Mike O'Brien are
paying their homage with "Face2Face," capturing
the energy and spirit of these two legends in a four show weekend at the
Downtown Cabaret Theatre of Bridgeport.

The house will be rocking on Saturday, April 6 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and
again on Sunday, April 7 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. as these two performers
return to the Cabaret by popular demand. Each man will perform a solo
set, backed by their own killer bands, and then
join together for a high octane spectacle of sound.

As successful artists go, with more than 250 million records sold, Sir
Elton John is known for such hits as his personal salute single to the
late Princess of Wales, Diana, in "Candle in the Wind," as well as
"Rocket Man," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "Someone
Saved My Life Tonight" and "Tiny Dancer." As a flamboyant superstar
from across the pond, he has been popular since his debut as a
singer/songwriter in the early 1970's.

Come discover Greg Ransom behind the big glasses and the wild and fancy
costumes and the over-the-top hats as he garners rave reviews for his
rendition as the superstar himself. Since the mid-1990's, he's been
sitting at pianos in hotel bars, casinos, nightclubs
and fairs, giving audiences an up close and personal performance,
singing such songs as "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Blue Eyes" and "Your
Song." Surely some of your favorites will be on his play list.

As to Billy Joel, the original "Piano Man," his first hit song four
decades ago, he has propelled his way to unprecedented success.
Ironically a recent episode of the television show "How I Met Your
Mother" featured his song "The Longest Time," as the two
lead characters Barney and Ted, played by Neil Patrick Harris and Josh
Raynor, harmonized with versions of themselves in the future. Also in
the news recently was Vanderbilt University freshman Michael Pollack
who got to rub elbows with his keyboard hero
when he was invited on stage at a concert to play "New York State of
Mind" while Joel sang along.

Mike O'Brien may favor the audience with such Billy Joel hits as "You
May Be Right," "Don't Ask Me Why," "Movin' Out," "Tell Her About It,"
"An Innocent Man," "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "New York State of
Mind." Called the "real-deal Billy Joel," Mike
O'Brien first heard his idol sing when he was a freshman in high school
while he was in Boston at a dance. He freely admits to falling in love
with the "Piano Man" that night and his admiration has been constant.
He has been perfecting his act since he was
18 when he first worked at a piano bar.